Butler's E34 M5 Restoration Thread

[Butler]

@Butler -- what paint did you use to spray the trim and windshield cowl? I need to do mine as well.

Thanks!

I used just a basic black semi gloss outdoor paint. I've used SEM trim paint in the past but never thought it was any better then the generic spray paints.

[RVAE34]

My favorite paint ever is Sikkens Rally black. Perfect satin finish and holds up well. Lays down super smooth too. Just never use when humid.

http://www.sikkensvr.com/en/products...0%28Aerosol%29

[jbeinhor]

I used just a basic black semi gloss outdoor paint. I've used SEM trim paint in the past but never thought it was any better then the generic spray paints.

Thanks!

[Grim Reaper]

More pics. I'm super happy with the final result.


Untitled by Nick Butler, on Flickr

Looks awesome... suggest a set of 9 wide rear rims and 275s to give it that mean and angry look.

[kouks]

Just went through this whole thread, nice work and I'm sure plenty of $$$ invested. I'm getting close to getting done my 525i rebuild/refresh, but this is way beyond what I'm doing. Great job bringing an old friend back to life, I too could not let go of a family friend and hopefully the car will be around for some time to come.

[Butler]

Just went through this whole thread, nice work and I'm sure plenty of $$$ invested. I'm getting close to getting done my 525i rebuild/refresh, but this is way beyond what I'm doing. Great job bringing an old friend back to life, I too could not let go of a family friend and hopefully the car will be around for some time to come.

Thanks She is far from done.

Looks awesome... suggest a set of 9 wide rear rims and 275s to give it that mean and angry look.

9s would be a great addition! Sucks they are so hard to find.

[BleedsBlue]

9s would be a great addition! Sucks they are so hard to find.

Plus 17s are going the way of smaller diameter tires, and it's tough to find the best tires for 9" and wider wheels

The PSS, my current ultimate road-going summer, only comes in 245/40 or 245/45, not the 255/40 that fits better. So far, the PS4S to replace it isn't even available in 17"...

[MidnightFive]

The pictures in this thread are absolutely pornographic. Following along

[Butler]

Happy Memorial Day weekend!

I spent all day working on the car. She is about to roll over the big 200! This weekend I started counting down the last 115 miles


First thing today was a MUCH over due coolant flush and replace a few coolant hoses.

200,000 miles-1 by Nick Butler, on Flickr

200,000 miles-2 by Nick Butler, on Flickr

200,000 miles-3 by Nick Butler, on Flickr



After cleaning up my huge mess and bleeding the system I moved on to tackle the rear dogbones.

200,000 miles-4 by Nick Butler, on Flickr


The old ones looked like they still had some life left in them but I decided to change em out anyway. (sarcasm)

200,000 miles-5 by Nick Butler, on Flickr

200,000 miles-6 by Nick Butler, on Flickr

200,000 miles-7 by Nick Butler, on Flickr

200,000 miles-8 by Nick Butler, on Flickr



The difference was very noticeable! I wish I had done these sooner. After getting the new bits tightened down I took off out of town into the mountains! There was tons of open road, WOT and hard braking. A great summer day to romp through the twisties in a gorgeous autobahn missile. <3

200,000 miles-9 by Nick Butler, on Flickr

200,000 miles-10 by Nick Butler, on Flickr

200,000 miles-11 by Nick Butler, on Flickr

200,000 miles-13 by Nick Butler, on Flickr

200,000 miles-14 by Nick Butler, on Flickr


Untitled by Nick Butler, on Flickr


Found a tiny bridge and took some more pics

200,000 miles-16 by Nick Butler, on Flickr

200,000 miles-17 by Nick Butler, on Flickr

200,000 miles-18 by Nick Butler, on Flickr



As I pulled back in to my drive way the odometer read 199,998! I washed her really good and backed her in the garage. I'll try to be strategic with those last two miles and arrange some more WOT for the moment she rolls 200. haha!


200,000 miles-19 by Nick Butler, on Flickr

200,000 miles-20 by Nick Butler, on Flickr



I love this car so much.
That is all for now but since summer has arrived, you'll be seeing some more again soon. Thanks for reading guys!

[Kannackas]

Thanks to your self for this awesome thread.. Looking forward to some sweet summer updates!

[squirrelhill]

Congrats on (almost) hitting the big 200k. Your efforts in bringing your m5 back to life are remarkable.

[Butler]

Congrats on (almost) hitting the big 200k. Your efforts in bringing your m5 back to life are remarkable.

Thanks to your self for this awesome thread.. Looking forward to some sweet summer updates!

Thanks guys!



Forgot to mention earlier, I have a set of H1 projector fogs sitting in my garage! Does anyone have a set of H1 pigtails they would sell me? Help!

[Kingpin025]

Nice work. Almost every time you do an update I find myself looking back at the opening posts to remind me just how far the car has come. Have you decided what to do about the seats? Euro bumper trim?

[Butler]

Got a set of 15mm spacers installed this afternoon.

BEFORE

15mmRearSpacer-before by Nick Butler, on Flickr

AFTER

15mmRearSpacer-after by Nick Butler, on Flickr

I tried to get the same angle, but its close enough to see that it looks better :P I love the look but these will eventually go on the front and I'll buy a set of 20mm for the rears some time later.

[CarterH]

Man I love this project. The detailing you've done on it is incredible and so is all the engine work. What other plans do you have for it? Will you be restoring the faded M stripe the runs along the sides?

[AHenry014]

The spacers look great! Dont mean to nitpick, but you can adjust the bumper edge alignment there pretty easily, assuming nothing is broken. Pop the trim off and look for the round doodad with a flathead slot in it. Turn the flathead bit to the left a quarter turn till it stops. This is just a "lock" for the barrel adjuster. Turn the bit outside the piece with the slot in it to adjust the bumper in slightly.

[Smith Jason]

Ugh, I just want to drive my car. Patiently waiting on parts for the cooling system. Hopefully next couple weeks and back driving again.

[SpazE36]

This thread is such a pleasure to read, every single time I need some motivation to wrench on the e34... I re-read this post. So satisfying!

[Butler]

Nice work. Almost every time you do an update I find myself looking back at the opening posts to remind me just how far the car has come. Have you decided what to do about the seats? Euro bumper trim?

I'll tell you that you should stick around for an update.

Man I love this project. The detailing you've done on it is incredible and so is all the engine work. What other plans do you have for it? Will you be restoring the faded M stripe the runs along the sides?

Thank you! Some day I'd like to have it repainted but thats probably another few years out. Current plans are still bring it back to OEM+. She needs the steering bits all gone through as I'm not happy with the play in the wheel. That will likely be complete this summer!

The next big, and I mean HUGE upgrade is happening very soon. In the next two weeks I'll have something drastically different to share with you guys.

The spacers look great! Dont mean to nitpick, but you can adjust the bumper edge alignment there pretty easily, assuming nothing is broken. Pop the trim off and look for the round doodad with a flathead slot in it. Turn the flathead bit to the left a quarter turn till it stops. This is just a "lock" for the barrel adjuster. Turn the bit outside the piece with the slot in it to adjust the bumper in slightly.

Great advice! Thanks, I'll mess with that soon.

This thread is such a pleasure to read, every single time I need some motivation to wrench on the e34... I re-read this post. So satisfying!

Thank you! <3

[Smith Jason]

Love it. In suspense with the update. I am guesssing some sort of interior work, for the seats.

All these updates and your IG pictures are so nice. Love the new wagon too. Totally jealous of the fleet. And congrats on your soon to be new addition !

[Butler]

Love it. In suspense with the update. I am guesssing some sort of interior work, for the seats.

All these updates and your IG pictures are so nice. Love the new wagon too. Totally jealous of the fleet. And congrats on your soon to be new addition !

Thank you! I realized that I forgot to share our new car with you guys!

We are expecting our first baby in October and we wanted to treat my wife to a new ride before the little one arrives. So we sold our trusty and rock solid E46 sedan for an 08 328i wagon. Super pumped on having another E9x car, I love them. Nothing bad to say about E46s but damn the E91 is a huge upgrade. So smooth, so much more power, love the interior, 6 speed tranny is awesome and wagon!

2008 328i Sport package
RWD
Auto
90k miles

Untitled by Nick Butler, on Flickr

Untitled by Nick Butler, on Flickr


You guys now know that I'm obsessed. Heres the thread with tons of pics and stuff http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?p=21698282

[Eero]

Got a set of 15mm spacers installed this afternoon.

Much better. Next step remove inner turbine fins, looks wider and more lip.

[BleedsBlue]

Nice, congrats on the babby and wagon! I love wagons

After my brief stint in an F30, I have been reacquainted with how proficient modern BMWs can be. An F30 M Sport wagon is in my future at some point...

Much better. Next step remove inner turbine fins, looks wider and more lip.

I just did this on my M5, with square 9s. I agree with this.

[Butler]

Yes, the F31 sport is sexy af.

I just did this on my M5, with square 9s. I agree with this.

Tell me more. Is removing the inner fins actually recessing the turbine closer to the wheel spokes, thus increasing the lip size?

[BleedsBlue]

Yes, the F31 sport is sexy af.



Tell me more. Is removing the inner fins actually recessing the turbine closer to the wheel spokes, thus increasing the lip size?

You got it. It's maybe a quarter, or half an inch at most, but noticeable. Side note is that brake cooling maybe reduced, but who TF cares